Replay: Chat with Free Press sports columnist Drew Sharp

Drew answered readers' questions July 15, 2014

Drew is here to answer your questions about all things Detroit sports.

by James Jahnke7/15/2014 3:00:58 PM

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by James Jahnke7/15/2014 3:00:46 PM

I'm here.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:02:09 PM

Drew why do you think the Pistons should be afraid of LeBron and Kyrie, We already beat Michael and Pippen, and Kobe and Shaq, when we start playing Detroit Defense basketball, we can stop these guys, so again why should do you think we should be afraid and tanking instead of improving or defense and schemes? Are you scared for your team to fight for success.

by Cole7/15/2014 3:02:27 PM

Cole -- They're not "my team." I don't have a "team." Like everybody else, they're just a story to me. And the story with these Pistons is that any competitive recovery worth a darn can only occur if they can land a true impact player. That can only occur through the upper reaches of the draft lottery. The Sixers are doing it the right way. Stockpile good young talent in the top half of the lottery and perhaps by 2016, they'll become a pretty good team. The Pistons are simply hoping for mediocrity.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:05:30 PM

Why would the Pistons want to retain Greg Monroe? Don't see him as a max deal player anyways.

by Jason7/15/2014 3:05:57 PM

Jason -- He's not a max player. The Pistons problem remains that Monroe doesn't fit with Drummond as a PF. And the idea of rotating Drum, Monroe and JSmith between C and PF is ludicrous if you actually think about it. They'll still have the primary problem of poor offensive spacing down low when Drum and Monroe are together. Basically, then you're paying Monroe big bucks to be your No. 2 center. That makes no damn sense whatsoever.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:08:55 PM

Are the wings going to make a move for a right handed defenseman before the start of season? What are your thoughts on who they would be going after and who would they be giving up for that defenseman.

by A7/15/2014 3:09:11 PM

I keep hearing Mike Green from the Capitals. He's in the last year of his contract. Although his numbers flattened the last couple years, he would be a significant upgrade for the Wings power play. If the price for Green was Tatar and another lower ranked prospect, I'd pull the trigger.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:10:45 PM

Who is in charge of the wings above Holland? Who does Holland have to answer to? Is there one person in the ownership that has the final say regarding the GM position. Who is it that evaluates the GM's performance? Does the ownership give direction?

by reginawing7/15/2014 3:10:52 PM

Isn't it funny how the tide's turning on public sentiment regarding Ken Holland? The "Red Wing Way" has become the "Red Wing Why?" Holland answers to the Ilitch family and they remain quite pleased with how he's running the organization. And they should be satisfied. It's not easy attempting to retool on the fly. They're no longer that automatic Stanley Cup contender every year and that's hard for some fans to accept.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:13:25 PM

Drew, what do you make of the debacle that has been the Red Wings offseason? Miscalculating so badly it seeks Ken Holland has difficulty committing to a future plan for the organization.Was Jim Nill really the genius behind Holland? Is it time for Holland to go?

by Garrett 7/15/2014 3:13:48 PM

Garrett -- Debacle might be a tad strong. But clearly the fact that they couldn't land targeted defensemen like Dan Boyle and Christain Erhoff despite offering them more money than the teams they signed with confirms what I've written and said over the last two months -- the days of the Wings being THE TEAM is a lot of players' minds are done for the foreseeable future. They've got to build that reputation back up and it might take another couple seasons at least.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:16:24 PM

Hey Drew, now that your relative Scott Perry is no longer in the Pistons front office, it seems you have become very negative towards the organization's moves. Is this a coincidence?

by Jeff Moss7/15/2014 3:16:57 PM

Scott hasn't been there for years. If anything, I ragged on them even harder when he was there.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:18:54 PM

So you write about sports but without a rooting interest ever? Do you not have a passion for anything team? You get no joy out of a Detroit team winning even though you eat, breathe and make a living off of them?

by Not the sharpest Drew7/15/2014 3:19:47 PM

The only way to do my job properly is to emotionally divorce myself from the teams I cover. That shouldn't be so hard to figure out. Can't think like a fan.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:21:31 PM

Are you concerned that the Tigers have invested $112 million in a pitcher who cannot command his pitches and barely reached 93 on the Stalker?

by byco427/15/2014 3:21:48 PM

I assume you're talking Verlander. I still think he'll be fine. As I've written and said on numerous occasions over the past year, he must reinvent himself as a pitcher. That's not a concession that his arm is weakening, but that he knows he can't keep throwing it 98-plus close to 20 games a game and expect to hold up.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:24:12 PM

Verlander deserves a little more appreciation in this town. He's struggling. He needs to pitch better. But the fact that he's thrown more than 30,000 pitches in his career and hasn't yet missed a start due to injury while all these other young power arms are heading for TJ surgery suggests that the man is an athletic freak. I'd rather have him in his current state because at least I know he's pitching and working to get better instead of missing 18 months due to surgery like these others.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:26:42 PM

Drew, were you mad when Coach Dantonio barked at you on the field of the rose bowl after the game

by James Jahnka7/15/2014 3:26:54 PM

I haven't seen the video. I heard about it. I think it's funny. You have to understand that I wear a perpetual scowl.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:28:21 PM

Drew, What are your thoughts on the latest Dave Brandon fireworks gimmick? Thoughts on how he has done his job overall at UM?

by B1GFootball7/15/2014 3:28:35 PM

Disappointed with the fireworks gimmick because that's all it is but a gimmick. That's something they would do at Eastern Michigan to keep the fans around after a game.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:29:41 PM

You think trading Tatar for Green would be a good deal? I disagree wholeheartedly with you. Please don't tell me you liked the Legwand for Jarnkrok deal too...

by Jerry Garland7/15/2014 3:30:30 PM

I find your stance "divorced from the teams" as very off putting and really makes your columns unreadable. I'm only hear to offer some advice, BRING SOME PASSION to your game!

by Joe7/15/2014 3:32:07 PM

Jerry -- If the choice is between Tatar and Jurco (and it could very well be) for Green, I would move Tatar because Jurco brings an entirely different skill set than Tatar because he's bigger and I think everyone agrees that the Wings could use more size on the Wings.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:32:14 PM

Joe -- Well, clearly, you're here on this forum because you do read the columns and you likely read them regularly. The "passion" is in my craft. Not the teams that I'm covering. I'm not a fan. I don't think like a fan. I'm not prone to wild emotional swings when a team wins or when they lose. I've long believed that's an important attribute to possess when trying to offer as honest and factual a commentary as possible.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:37:11 PM

Drew, we have to get back to the Detroit Red Wings on here... simply saying "they're not what they used to be..." is selling short what they SHOULD BE in the 'here and now.' Ken Holland isn't the GM of the 'here and now'... he's best with using Illich's chips to reel in the high priced free agents... NOT working a well-thought-out trade to improve a team. What the Wings really need... and have needed for quite some time is what they lost from Lidstrom's departure... a D man that can shoot and score... preferably a right handed shot... but since Rafalski and Nick left... there's no more firepower coming from the back end... which is sorely needed right now. Advice to Holland? Go BIG TIME WITH A TRADE! Or stay the same... and stay home come the playoffs.

by Norris Smythe7/15/2014 3:37:47 PM

But the Wings are exactly what they should be right now -- a rebuilding team attempting to integrate as much quality youth into the regular lineup with their veterans. Free agency is no longer the panacea in the NHL with the salary cap. The Wings don't want to completely free fall through the standings like the Blackhawks and Kings did for years long ago which enabled them to draft high and land Toews, Kane and Doughty.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:39:51 PM

Who is the class of the division the Lions compete in?

by richard7/15/2014 3:39:58 PM

Green Bay remains the class. Chicago is a shade ahead of the Lions.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:40:24 PM

How many more seasons does Stafford have before the Lions try drafting another franchise quarterback? He hasn't added anything to his game since he first arrived, and it seems like opposing defenses have figured out what few weapons he actually has.

by Honey Badger7/15/2014 3:42:00 PM

Stafford's going to be there at least for another two seasons.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:42:38 PM

Drew I hear rumors that max scherzer may resign with Detroit as he considers the tigers his dream team. Do u believe that scherzer will resign after the season is over

by Dr Detroit7/15/2014 3:42:47 PM

As long as Scott Boras is his agent, Max will go for the maximum that he believes that he can get. I do believe he will give the Tigers the opportunity to beat any top offer he gets elsewhere. But I doubt the Tigers will pay him $28 million a year. But what people get forgetting with the salary flexibility the Tigers gained with the departures of Fielder and Cy Fister is that even if they can't re-sign Scherzer, there will be enough in the budget to perhaps invest $18-20 million annually on a good lefty like Jon Lester who can win 17-18 games for them.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:46:13 PM

Drew, I know you feel Monroe doesn't fit here with Drummond.. I totally agreed.. but he is young and he is a decent player.. not max... but I do believe SVG will sign him for 13 millions per.. and then we will move Josh Smith for some decent players one being a starting SF, and maybe a draft pick.. I know Houston likes Smith and Boston would love him with Rondo.. so let see... B.Jennings will be here for one more year then if he doesn't get better, he will be moved... Do you agree with what I just said?

by DEVIN BROOKS7/15/2014 3:47:59 PM

Matching an outrageous offer sheet for Monroe makes no sense for the Pistons. As I wrote prior to the draft, keep an eye on Phoenix and what they might do considering they had multiple first round draft picks and had privately expressed some interest in Monroe. A sign and trade to get Gerald Green and the contractual rights to one of those picks would be acceptable compensation for Monroe.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:50:11 PM

Drew, if you were to give Suh a new contract how much and for how long would you pay him?

by Jeff7/15/2014 3:50:21 PM

Jeff -- If Suh signs anything, it's going to be a short deal. No more than three years.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:50:45 PM

Stafford has a long term deal. He's here for another 3-4 years

by Dr Detroit7/15/2014 3:51:06 PM

The length of the contract means nothing. Stafford has got two more years to become the impact QB the Lions think. If he can't, then they'll move on to the next pigeon.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:52:08 PM

Drew - you mention trading Tatar and then later talking about the need to integrate youth...talking out of both sides...

by Jerry Garland7/15/2014 3:52:27 PM

Jerry -- It's like in baseball. You've got 10 top prospects. A third of them wash out. Another third makes the parent club. The other third are used as trade bait to bring in key veteran pieces. Holland's no fool. The team must get younger but that doesn't mean you keep every young prospect.

They're proven winners. Those that consistently disappoint get regularly criticized.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:55:09 PM

Were you impressed by KCP of the Pistons in summer league?

by SVG7/15/2014 3:55:14 PM

Nothing impresses me about the summer league

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:55:27 PM

Stafford may have his shortcomings, but don't you think he's the best QB the Lions have had since maybe Bobby Lane? Some fans forget what it's like to almost always have ineffective QB's, decade after decade with no end in sight.

by Rocco7/15/2014 3:55:35 PM

But Rocco, isn't that also Stafford's curse in some regards? My argument about Stafford isn't that he doesn't already possess exceptional talent, but whether he's willing to push himself harder to get the most out of that talent and not simply become the best Lions quarterback of the last 50 years but one of the top NFL quarterbacks period.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 3:57:21 PM

Don't the Tigers need a real full-time leadoff hitter?...I don't understand why this doesn't seem to be a priority...

by Fan Since 577/15/2014 3:57:59 PM

I still think they need a left handed bat to better balance out the batting order. It might too much to ask of Andy Dirks coming off of back surgery. Two deadline options to possibly consider: Seth Smith of the Padres and Domonic Brown of the Phillies. Both could be had relatively cheap.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 4:01:05 PM

Drew, who do you think is the Tigers' first half MVP and why?

by Eggy7/15/2014 4:01:10 PM

Kinsler. He's added a spark to the top of the batting order. And VMart would be a close second.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 4:01:43 PM

RE: "Cy" Fister. It's not that he was traded. It's that the Tigers got hot garbage in return for him -- that has proven to stink even worse than anticipated. No value for value to be seen: then or now. Fister for a LOOGY and a lefty prospect not even rated in the Top 100 is/was/ever will be a bad deal. Revenge for McLain to the Senators for Brinkman, Coleman and Rodriguez.

by byco427/15/2014 4:02:10 PM

Once again, they got a package in return that was consistent for a solid middle of the rotation starter like Cy Fister and it fit what the Tigers were looking before: immediate bullpen and utility help and premium LH starting pitching prospect that could be a regular in the rotation as early as 2016.

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 4:05:44 PM

What grade would you give the Tigers? I am giving them an A+

by LightRodWriter7/15/2014 4:05:53 PM

B

by Drew Sharp7/15/2014 4:06:01 PM

Thanks for the questions. We'll do this again in two weeks at the trading deadline.